JUST A SIMPLE EXCHANGE

Ch. 1

By Hemel Lass

"It's a simple exchange, Magnum, surely, even you, can't mess that up." Higgins snarked at the private investigator/security consultant.

Magnum sighed soulfully. "Fine, just forget I asked. It was a pretty simple request, but don't worry about it." He was already turning away to walk back towards the guest house.

The major-domo's head tilted sideways as she considered what he had said more carefully, not blurting out her initial, knee-jerk reaction. "Thomas, wait a moment. What's going on? Why would you want me to call Rick and TC after you leave to do the exchange and ask them to come here and hang out while you perform that errand 'just in case' you don't get back within three hours from Nu'uanu Pali Lookout? I've made these exchanges for Robin before and never had any problems…"

The former Seal looked back at her over his shoulder and responded. "Exactly, if it's just a simple exchange which you have made many times before, why all of a sudden does Robin want me, his – " he made air quotes with his fingers, " 'security consultant' to handle this one? I'm not going to give him any trouble about the request, I live here to serve, but I want the guys here," air quotes again, " 'just in case' there is trouble and I wind up needing back up." He looked down at the ground momentarily and back up, meeting her eyes with a very direct look and there was no joke in those warm, brown eyes. "Robin always has a reason for what he does, Higgins. I think he wants me on this for a reason. There is also the fact that he specified he doesn't want me to take my weapon. As if I would, when I am just picking up research he's had done for his next book, but I have this little voice that is telling me to take certain precautions."

Juliet let go with a peal of laughter. "You're hearing voices? Isn't that a sign of mental illness?"

Magnum rolled his expressive eyes at her, speaking sarcastically. "I said I have a little voice, not that I heard a little voice, Higgins. Women call it their 'intuition', but my mom always called mine my 'pequeña guía de voz', my 'little guide voice'. She told me to always listen to my 'pequeña guía de voz' - that it would keep me safe." He shrugged, his eyes drifting out to look at the ocean. "You may think it's stupid, but…"

"No," the lithe blonde gently lay her hand on his arm, "I'm sorry. I was out of line, Thomas. I- I didn't know. Why not just call Rick and TC yourself, though?"

"Aw, that's complicated, Higgins. TC and Rick have sort of a thing about Robin and me and warnings from my little voice. It's based on a lot of history. I just don't want to get into it with them over this, if that can be avoided. Don't want them getting wound up, if nothing comes of it. They never need to know and we'll just watch a movie and have pizza when I get back. It's been a while since we've just hung out…"

"Well, it's fine. I'll do as you ask and call them just after you've left and set something up. Alright?" Higgins was conciliatory for she had considered how important her own instincts were during her days in MI6 and was no longer inclined to be so dismissive of his caution.

Magnum jammed his hands in the pockets of his shorts and turned back to face her with a quizzical frown on his face. "Every time I think I've got a handle on you, you turn on a dime and completely switch your approach, Higgy. You confuse the heck out of me!"

Higgins smiled. "Haven't you heard, "it's a woman's prerogative to…"

"Change her mind." Magnum returned a grin. "Yep, my mom used to say that all the time. Wasn't sure you were allowed to say it these days."

"Well, I'm certainly allowed as I am a woman."

Magnum bit hard on the inside of his cheek to keep himself from snarking back, "You definitely are…" out loud, but oddly Higgins looked as if she heard it anyway as her eyes narrowed at him in that little squinty thing she did sometimes, making her nose crinkle up in a way he found rather charming.

Kumu came out of the main house and handed the PI something, saying… "Just as you requested, Thomas. What are they for?"

Thomas impishly held his finger up in front of his lips. "Uh-uh, our little secret… That would be telling."

Kumu laughed warmly. "Okay, mums the word." Juliet and Kumu watched him meander back to the guest house. Higgins turned to Kumu. "Are you going to tell me?"

"Nope, you heard the man - our little secret."

"Kumu, surely he didn't mean…" The two walked back into the main house with the former agent still trying to find out what had been given to the PI.

Magnum chuckled to himself as he entered the guest house. He'd intentionally made an issue out of keeping the ítems he had requested from Kumu secret because he knew she'd play along and he just liked to mess with Miss 'former MI6' Higgins from time to time. Keep the woman on her toes, so to speak. He had some seam ripping and sewing to do before the time to leave for Pali Lookout rolled around.

Nothing wrong with taking precautions, even if it was a 'simple exchange'. He was going to feel naked enough carrying a briefcase with over $258,000 in it without his weapon to a deserted State Park after closing time as the sun was setting. That felt to him like a disaster waiting to happen. He briefly wondered if Higgins knew how much cash was in the package Robin Masters had sent him via messenger. He only knew because he picked the lock. He liked Robin, he trusted him, but could not forget Nuzo once said Masters didn't have the common sense God gave a flea…or was it a fly? Anyway, hopefully, this research and the person doing it were trustworthy.

Okay, was he getting a bit paranoid here?

He could almost hear TC and Rick admonishing him he was not being paranoid enough, but he lived on Masters' rather luxurious estate free, drove his Ferrari, he owed the author loyalty and not to question him too much, right? Well, he would if nothing went wrong tonight. Because if his little voice was right and he ran into trouble, TC and Rick were NEVER going to let him live it down.

A/N: There will be further chapters in this story. Warning: This will be somewhat AU because while it takes into account aired canon at the time it was written, it may deviate quite a bit from things we learn in the future. Does it seem slightly OOC for Thomas to speak Spanish as if his mom spoke it to him at home growing up? Although my mother was born and raised in England and only spoke English, I wound up being very facile in picking up accents (and in speech therapy for years growing up in school because I didn't pronounce my H's and said certain words 'funny'. Ironic seeing as the one helping me with my exercises was English and spoke with a somewhat Cockney-ish accent!). In future chapters, it will also include some of my 'head canon' for Thomas' background which only exists in my overly fertile imagination. Well, if you keep reading, you will see what I mean. Hope y'all enjoy!